Tesla Providing Upgraded Wall-Chargers to Prevent Model S Fires

Jan 13, 2014 04:30 PM EST | Matt Mercuro

Tesla is sending out upgraded wall-charger adapters to its customers to prevent "excessive heating of the adapter" according to the company.

The adapters connect the Tesla charging cord to a wall outlet.

"We have designed an improved wall adapter with a thermal fuse," Tesla said in a statement. "Even if the circuit breakers on the house side and car side don't trip, the thermal fuse will prevent current from flowing if the wall socket region heats up for any reason."

The new adapters were designed after a number of reports had been sent in to Tesla Motors' Club forum from customers complaining about overheating wall chargers.

A garage fire in Irvine, California also caused an investigation by the Orange County Fire Authority recently, which worried Tesla customers around the world that a fire could start in their own garage.

Tesla said they were not responsible for the fire, but the Orange County Fire Authority said there was a good chance the fire was started by the Tesla-supplied charging system.

"The fire occurred as a result of an electrical failure in the charging system for an electric vehicle," said a report by the fire authority, according to Reuters.

Customers should start receiving the new adapters within the next couple of weeks.

Tesla also announced this week they'll be providing customers with charger-software upgrades for all Model S sedans.

The upgrade will stop charging if a certain building's wiring can't handle it, which should help prevent fires from happening. 

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